Thinking about the journey of WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange and
the case against him, should lead to some thought about Journalists, Freedom of
Speech and Protections of Free Speech.
The International Federation of Journalists, promulgates the following:
“Promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice
through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists.”
What does this mean in terms of the Assange case? There are numerous, reliable news outlets in
support of Assange and in support of his release without further criminal
prosecution. Whether or not someone is in favor or opposed to Assange’s
position in the Criminal Justice System; this issue is only one component of
the ongoing saga of one Journalist, in his attempt to uncover, enlighten and
bring to bear corruption and wrong doing; through WikiLeaks publications.
We can think
about and analyze his actions, the matter of confidentiality and the issues
surrounding government documents with the public’s right to know. The matter at hand, primarily, is the impact
and chilling effect on journalism with this case – an individual vs one of the
most powerful governments in the world.
Chilling effect doesn’t quite encompass the seriousness and immediacy of
this singular case.
The why of it
is how Freedom of Speech is defined, how is it practically and reasonably
‘managed’? Who draws the line of
acceptable and publishable or not acceptable and censured? How can we, as a society, give over power to
a few elitist ‘managers’ what is true? Can we?
How does this case impact the very real process of revealing the truth,
most especially in the area of social justice? Who pulls the strings to
authorize what?
All of this may
remind us of the courageous Muckrakers of the past. The journalists, the
writers, digging in, discovering, thinking critically and reporting the truth
of the matter.
In solidarity with truth telling and those brave enough to write
it – to report it and not to be afraid.
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